Plyometric exercise device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a plyometric exercise device comprising a pair of neoprene bands having loops for engaging clips on the end of resistance cords, a pair of resistance cords with clips at the end and a belt and/or pair of handles for attaching to the resistance cords at the end opposite the neoprene bands. The pair of neoprene bands is sized to fit around the thigh of a user and is made of a unitary construction. The resistance cords are each removeably attached at one end to at least one of the pair of bands and removeably attached at the other end to a belt or handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an exercise device that facilitates plyometric exercises and a method for using the device.

2. Related Art

As exercise will always be a priority for individual health and fitness, the exercise industry continues to grow and change. Low cost exercise equipment is continually sought out by individuals, and plyometric exercises, that allow individuals to exert maximum force in short time intervals, has become increasing popular. While a number of plyometric exercises are performed without equipment, the use of equipment can increase the intensity and impact of plyometric exercises.

While a number of exercise devices exist using plyometric bands for individual use, a need still exists for a low-cost exercise device that uses plyometric bands for training that can be used by a trainer to impart increased resistance upon a trainee. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a plyometric exercise device comprising (i) a pair of neoprene bands having loops for engaging clips, (ii) a pair of resistance cords having clips at each end, and (iii) a belt and/or pair handles. The pair of neoprene bands is sized to fit around the thigh of a user and is made of a unitary construction. The pair of interchangeable resistance cords each having first and second ends with clips attached thereto. The interchangeable resistance cords are each removeably attached at the first end to at least one of the pair of bands and removeably attached at the second end to a belt or to a handle.

In operation, each one of the pair of bands is placed around the mid-thighs of the trainee (one on each thigh) with the loops for engaging the clips facing rearward. The trainee and/or trainer will then attach the resistance cords to the clips positioned on the back of the trainee's legs. The trainer will then place resistance on the cords by using handles attached to the ends of the resistance cords or by affixing the cord ends to a belt worn by the trainee, as will be explained further below in connection with the detailed description of the invention.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an exercise device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of an exercise device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate examples of an exercise device 100, 200 of the present invention. As illustrated and described in further detail below, the exercise devices 100, 200 both include neoprene bands 102 made of a unitary construction removeably connected to resistance cords 114. Resistance cords 114 are connected at its ends opposite the neoprene bands 102 to removable retaining devices. Resistance cords 114 may be constructed of bands, tubes or cords, generally made of rubber that have elasticity and are rated generally by pounds of resistance, with the lower pounds being more elastic than the higher pounds. The retaining devices may include, but not be limited to, handles 108 or a belt 202, or any other device that may be used by a person to impart resistance on the wearer of the neoprene bands 102 via the resistance cords 114.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an exercise device 100 of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exercise device 100 is comprised of two identical device units, sold as a pair, for use together. The each device unit includes a single construction neoprene band 102 sized to fit around a thigh of a wearer. The bands 102 may be designed as five inch neoprene bands made of a unitary construction to prevent the bands from being separated from the trainee during use (i.e., when resistance is applied). Different sized bands may also be used for accommodating legs of various sizes (S, M, L, XL).

The band 102 includes a loop 104 on its outer surface for retaining a ring 106 that engages clips 116 on the ends of resistance cords 114. In this manner, resistance cords 114 may be removeably engaged with the neoprene band 102 and may further be interchangeably to vary resistance. By allowing the resistance cords 114 to be removeably attached to the neoprene band 102, resistance cords 114 having varying degrees of elasticity can be secured to the neoprene band 102 to vary resistance. As noted above, the resistance cords 114 may be of any type generally used for resistance training. In this example, the resistance cords 114 may be designed to be five feet long. Clips may be included on each end of the resistance cords 114, which clips may include, but not be limited to, snap hooks clips, such as Carabiner clips, oval snap hook clips, swivel eye bolt snap clips and/or trigger snap clips.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a handle 108 may be removeably secured to the end of the resistance cord 114 opposite the neoprene band 102. The handle 108 may include a loop 110 and ring 112 for attachment to a clip 118 on one end of the resistance cord 114.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of an exercise device 200 of the present invention. In this example, the exercise device 200 is also comprised of two identical device units, sold as a pair, for use together with a belt 202, rather than in connection with handles 108 (FIG. 1). As with the exercise device 100 in FIG. 1, each unit includes a single construction neoprene band 102 sized to fit around a thigh of a wearer. Like the neoprene bands in FIG. 1, the neoprene bands 102 may be designed as five inch neoprene bands made of a unitary construction to prevent the bands from being separated from the trainee during use (i.e., when resistance is applied). Different sized bands may also be used for accommodating legs of various sizes (S, M, L, XL).

The neoprene bands 102 include loops 104 on their outer surfaces for retaining rings 106 that engage clips 116 on the ends of resistance cords 114. The resistance cords 114 in this example may be of the same type as described above in connection with FIG. 1, and may be removeably engaged with the neoprene band 102. By allowing the resistance cords 114 to be removeably attached to the neoprene band 102, resistance cords 114 may be interchanged with resistance cords 114 of varying degrees of elasticity to vary resistance. In this example, the resistance cords 114 may also be designed to be five feet long. Clips may be included on each end of the resistance cords 114, which clips may include, but not be limited to, snap hooks clips, such as Carabiner clips, oval snap hook clips, swivel eye bolt snap clips and/or trigger snap clips.

Unlike FIG. 1, the exercise device units are removeably secured to a belt 200 at the end of the resistance cord 114 opposite the neoprene band 102. The belt 200 has a buckle 204 with male and female engagement members on opposing ends of the belt 200 for securing the belt 200 around a person's waist. On each side of the belt 200, positioned each about a quarter of the length of the belt 200 away from the buckle 204 are loops 206, 210 and rings 208, 212 for attachment to a clip 118 on one end of the resistance cord 114.

In operation, the exercise devices 100, 200 are used by two people—a trainer and a trainee. Generally, as explained above, the exercise device 100, 200 contains two identical units, each comprised of a neoprene band 102 and resistance cord 114 that will each be used during operation on one leg of the wearer. The end of the resistance cords 114 opposite the neoprene bands 102 are attached to handles 108 and/or a belt 200 to impart resistance on the person wearing the neoprene bands 102.

The person acting as the trainee will place a neoprene band on each of his or her legs above his or her knees, half-way up his or her thigh, such that the loop 104 of the neoprene band 102 is positioned on the back of the leg near the center of the trainee's hamstring. The trainee and/or trainer will attach the resistance cords 114 to the loops and/or rings 104/106 on the neoprene band 102 positioned on the back of the trainee's legs. The trainer will then place resistance on the resistance cords 114 using either handles 108 (FIG. 1) or by affixing the end of the resistance cords 114 opposing the neoprene bands 102 to a belt 200 (see FIG. 2).

The person acting as the trainer will stand behind the trainee and place resistance on the resistance cords 114 by either engaging handles 108 on the ends of the resistance cords 114 opposing the neoprene bands 114 or by clipping the end of the resistance cords 114 opposing the neoprene bands 102 to a belt 200. The trainer will create some distance between the trainer and the trainee until there is a tight pull on the neoprene bands 102. The trainer will then impart resistance on the resistance cords 114 as the trainee tries to run. The trainee will attempt to run against the resistance that the trainer is creating by pulling back with his/her body weight. The trainee endures the workout and the trainer can pull harder for increased resistance. Bullet strengthening neoprene cords may be used for explosive movements. The exercise targets the trainee's core, hips and quadricep muscles.

The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention. 

1. An exercise device, the exercise device comprising: a pair of neoprene bands sized to fit around a thigh of a user, where each neoprene band in the pair of neoprene bands is made of one band that is not divided or broken to prevent the bands from being separated from the thigh of the user during use; at least one retaining device; a pair of resistance cords each having a first and second ends, the pair of resistance cords each being removably attached at the first end to one of the neoprene bands in the pair of bands and each of the pair of resistance cords being removably attached at the second end to the at least one retaining device, where one resistance cord, of the pair of resistance cords, is attached to one neoprene band, of the pair of neoprene bands, and the other resistance cord is attached to the other neoprene band.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1 where the retaining device is a belt.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1 where the retaining device is a pair of handles, where the second end of each of the pair of resistance cords is attached to one handle in the pair of handles.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1 where the pair of resistance cords have clips at each end and where the pair of neoprene bands and at least one retaining device has loop members for removeable engagement by the clips on the resistance cords.
 5. The exercise device of claim 4 where the loop members further include rings for engagement by the clips on the resistance cords.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1 where the pair of resistance cords are made from an elastic rubber having a first elasticity and where the exercise device further includes at least one additional pairs of resistance cords having a second elasticity.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 where apparatus is configured for use by a trainee and trainer to perform a method of use, the method comprising the steps of: placing one neoprene band in the pair of neoprene bands around each thigh of a trainee; attaching one resistance cord in the pair of resistance cords to each of the pair of neoprene bands worn by the trainee at a point on a back of a leg of the trainee; applying resistance to the pair of neoprene bands worn by the trainee by having the trainer engage the at least one retaining device and pulling on the retaining device to remove any slack in the resistance cord; and maintaining the at least one retaining device in a generally stationary location while the trainee engages in a stationary running motion.
 8. A method for using an exercise device by a trainer and a trainee, the method comprising the steps of: placing one neoprene band in a pair of neoprene bands sized to fit around the thigh of a trainee around a thigh of a trainee, where each neoprene band in the pair of neoprene bands is made of one singular band that is not divided or broken to prevent the bands from being separated from the thigh of the trainee during use; attaching each resistance cord, in a pair of resistance cords, to one of each of the pair of neoprene bands worn by the trainee at a point on the back of a leg of the trainee, where the pair of resistance cords are each removably attached at a first end to each one of the pair of neoprene bands placed around the leg of the trainee, where one resistance cord, of the pair of resistance cords, is attached to one neoprene band, of the pair of neoprene bands, and the other resistance cord is attached to the other neoprene band; attaching at least one retaining device to a second end of the pair of resistance cords; applying resistance to the neoprene bands worn by the trainee by having the trainer engage the at least one retaining device and pulling on the retaining device to remove any slack in the resistance cord; and the trainer maintaining the at least one retaining device in a generally stationary location while the trainee commences a stationary running motion.
 9. The method of claim 8 where the retaining device is a belt.
 10. The method of claim 8 where the retaining device is a pair of handles and where the second end of each of the pair of resistance cords is attached to one handle in the pair of handles.
 11. The method of claim 8 where the pair of resistance cords have clips at each end and where the pair of neoprene bands and at least one retaining device have loop members for removeable engagement by the clips on the resistance cords.
 12. The method of claim 11 where the loop members further include rings for engagement by the clips on the resistance cords.
 13. The method of exercise device of claim 8 where the pair of resistance cords are made from an elastic rubber having a first elasticity and where the exercise device further includes at least one additional pairs of resistance cords having a second elasticity. 